Hughes game.

I'm scared to want to win so badly, but this one is the difference between sleep and no sleep.

All part of the master's plan!

Scuffling Yankees + Morgan/Miller = painful.

I agree Alex. They could still sweep Toronto or get help from Ozzie, but really, if they don't win tonight, I can't envision a scenario where the Yanks stroll into Boston w/o something on the line. To throw Boston a lifeline like that, I think they use it for something epic.

Nice pitch.

Cultural barriers?? The boys in the booth are in rare form tonight.

Home run in a cylo. Jesus he just missed that. Homina, homina, homina

is the audio mix a little "watery" too you ... it sounds like they're piping in the crowd noise, and the ball off the bat sounds fake ...

C'MON JETES

C'mon Stick, swat one!

Shit. We know Hughes will give up a long ball. Just hope he doesn't have anyone on base.

OK folks .... this habit of Miller to put the emphasis on the other syllable in DR/Hispanic names .... is he (technically) right? Are we wrong?

I hope we can get a few balls in the air tonite, at least a few more than the Red Sox, I think they're carrying ...

Well, *that* at bat turned to suck.

Ump is calling a wide zone tonight.

[15] Those 2 sliders were made to deposited in the LF bleachers, Alex just didn't seem to be reading them well at all ... meh.

Slasher!

Damn, po hit that too hard.

Seattle scored SIX against the Rays?? HUZZAH!!
[13] He's not necessarily wrong, but it is still highly irritating..

20) yeah, Miller has that rare gift of making one assume he's wrong no matter what he says. Miller: "a scoreless game between the Yankees and Red Sox going to the third inning..." Monkeypants: "Oh come on Miller, you're such an idiot."

not often you see a guy on crutches in the dugout

Come on Hughes...

crud

Sigh.

At least Hughes has finally been going to the changeup these last couple of starts.

Nice to limit the damage, Phil.

C'mon bats, come alive!

So, apparently Hughes must not be allowed to pitch V. Martinez, ever.

Get that run back, Curtis.

Blood...pressure...rising...

[29] Deep breaths, mp, DEEP breaths ...

Phil Hughes called for a popup, caught it, and did not explode!

The desperate situation that the Yankees find themselves seems to be a direct byproduct of girardi's lose the battle philosophy. Regardless of outcome, the Yankees would be foolish if they don't seriously consider a managerial change this offseason.

[32] Trey Hillman..I hear he's an "up&comer"!

Baseball is a funny game.

Losing...sight...in...one...eye...

I think I would have preferred a simple strike out there, Alex ...

So Swisher works the count and hits the ball hard, but makes an out. It happens, and it was a good at-bat. The other guys? Not so much.

Dammit, Hughes, NO walks.

Especially not Bill FUCKING Hall.

Oh, those base on balls. Now can WE get a dp, please?

Anyone else here slightly sick to their stomach?

Great JOB by Posada!

*That* was nice, though ...

Posada covers first better then he covers the plate.

Dammit, Hughes, pull it back together.

[43] Good.

Alright bats, lets get something going.

Good job, Sir Phil. Now if only the offense could get going against Cy-K...

Oh good, now we get our weekly Sunday Night Baseball focus on the NFL. Shut the fuck up about football!!

Yup, sick to my stomach.

[29][35] now numbness in my arm...

Stop. Rally time.

[49] 2 Legit 2 Quit, boyeeeeee!!

Flip.

It's going to be infuriating when they lose one of Hughes' best starts of the year.

This game is making me stabbity.

unbeFUCKINGlievable.

These guys are choking. They look like zombies to me.

Hm. Sunday night means X Factor Italia on RAI International---a typically atrocious Italian variety / game show, but one of my wife's favorite guilty pleasures. But this Sunday also features a tight Yankees-Red Sox duel. What to do?

Normally there would be no debate, but I have to admit, recent Yankees play inclines me to switch the channel.

[52] And on a night when Tampa loses. Division is within our grasp.

Nice to see this umpire's Magic Shrinking Strike Zone.

Where *were* those pitches???

[56] MP, maybe in the offseason we can compare/contrast wretched Italian and Japanese variety shows..I imagine their share many chracteristics?

If Jed Cletus homers here I am taking the rest of the day off work..

Get Gaudin up Joe!

Dear Coffee Joe, get somebody up *now* ... you, know, *before* there's a real problem.

Ah, Robertson is now warming.

Good on you for listening.

Meanwhile, our Robot Umpire Overlords can't come quickly enough ...

A "Boston Sucks!" chant?

Really, Yankees fans???

Good start Hughesy!

Alright, Robertson, time to bear down for 3 big outs!

[62] No kidding. Thought I heard some boos after Jeter grounded out to end another pathetic inning, although those aren't undeserved right now.

Ack! Mad Men is on!!

That was too close for comfort.

It took 'em until the seventh inning, but they finally got around to talking about 2004.

Big, BIG out needed here.

BIG!

One more Robby!

BIG!

GREAT JOB!

This.

This is it.

Right now.

Our inning.

Alex is going to take one of those sloppy sliders a long way.

LONG.

WAY.

Nice work Mr. Robertson. Dude has balls of steel.

Yay!

OK, rules question: on that last strike out, when the ball got away from Posada, what would have happened if the runner broke from third and scored before Po's throw reached 1B? Does the run count, or is the play treated like a ground out (i.e., a continuous play, so the run does not count regardless of whether the runner from third crossed home before the throw reached the first baseman).

[73] I would assume the run doesn't count- if the batter grounds out but the runner heading home beats the throw, then no run scores. And it's a force at first on a strikeout, so I say no run. But good question....

[73] I'm pretty sure the run wouldn't count

Goddamit Swisher.

Ugh, that was ball four.

[77] K zone showed it a comfortable strike ...

About time.

OK, this game is getting much better.

Jeffrey Maier out there?

Oh, wow. Nice stat padding A-Rod! Man, what a relief....

[71] Oops, sorry, it was a fastball.

Wow... I thought ARod had no chance at 30 HRs. One more and he sets the 30/100 record!

OK, that was a legitimately nice play in CF.

ok .... that was nice .... ellsbury doesn;t make that

DAMN!

Hellofa catch.

Currently shitting a brick...

Alright bullpen ... all hands on deck.

Wood to start, Logan to finish?

FuckkityFuckFuck.

I've always fucking hated marco scutaro. Bastard.

C'mon Wood.

Not a good time to not find the plate.

For fuck's sake, Robbie!!

Dammit Cano.

Great trivia question:
Who came up with the term 'tailor made' for the double play?

First time this shit-head Girardi doesn't bring in the lefty for a lefty and lets see what happens

Big Cocksucker Pappi

homina homina homina

This is dangerous

Hey, lets bring in Mitre! nah, its Mo

Enter Sandman.

C'mon Mo!

Logan should been brough in to face fatty but it's too late now.
C'mon, Mo!

IBB to face Beltre? I really really hate intentional walks..

Ooooh...Mo for four outs. The chessmaster goes from Gaudin in a one run game to Mo in a run game...like THAT.

I would have rather seen Mo pitch to Ortiz.

Cano atones!

Mo + Robbie = exhale.

Nice play by Cano. Tough AB by Beltre.

Moooooooooo!- 1 down, 3 to go

Now, if they can tack on one or two or seven runs.

By the way, FUCK THE JETS

You think maybe we can get Francona to manage us next year - seriously?

Gardner better goddamn be running on the first pitch.

Lil' G finally runs on the 1st pitch and that. Bollocks.

That's fine---you win some, you lose some. He almost got his hand in despite the pitchout.

That was s-c-a-r-y.

Lowrie!?!?! gimme a fuckin break

uh-oh

Cripes...Mo is giving up some shots here.

Nice throw, Jorge.

Don't cough up the lead to the fucking Pawsox.

Jeezus.

wow...like looked like a good pitch.

Jesus Christ, they're still gonna lose this game.

Nobody gets in front of hard hit ground balls anymore.

if they didn't play sunday night games for the sake of espn ... no rain ...

goddamn motherfucking complete bullshit.

FUCK!!!

i'm guessing this is the first time Mo has allowed 4 sb's in one inning?

FUCK!!!

This is fucking painful.

Sweet Holy MOther of God.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME???

And the IF is playing in. Does IF playing in + Mo ever seem to turn out well?

i'm sick to my stomach.

gee ... I was gonna go to bed early

This fucking season is fucking over

nobody on base.

double steal?!

: /

boston's gonna win the fucking world series.

FUCK!!!

Posada's throwing was very poor. But to be fair, Mo has looked a little ragged tonight.

NOW I'm sick to my stomach.

Papelbon has something like a 9.00 ERA at Yankee Stadium this year. A couple games ago, when the Sox were up by 5 runs or whatever, that didn't matter much. Hopefully it comes into play here tonight.

Posada’s throwing was very poor. But to be fair, Mo has looked a little ragged tonight.

What the fuck just fucking happened?

How is it a fucking merry go round on the basepaths????

Third??? TWICE?

What the fuck happened? I'm following the play by play and right now I hate this team so much I want to throw them all in the East River. What the hell?

Wow, this is ugly. Welp, time for a big time rally.

Can I call two homeruns for Alex in the same night?

We never did that to VARITEK. Or fucking VICTOR MARTINEZ. What the hell?

Remember when Jeter did something good in these spots?

[144] sure. be my guest!

Did the Red Sox score AGAIN? I can't even bear to look.

mike lowell looks like he's 53 years old.

What are you swinging at, Jeter?

i fucking despise this piece o' dogshit.

please beat papelbitch.

I've glad Girardi has everyone RESTED. I was thinking about it earlier today, and you know what this bunch of clowns reminds me of? LTCM. Fucking idiots who never factored in that humans are humans, which means that momentum can always jump straight clear of your boundaries. Nice job, jackasses.

Joe Morgan the voice of reason. I've officially lost my mind.

that was low...

The ol' automatic on 3-0.

now steal 7 bases at once...

No double play, Mark.

just run right across the mound and go directly to 3rd.

[156]

and hit a 5-run homer

Easy to steal bases when your opponent is frozen in time waiting for the playoffs to start.

Yay! Swisher has hit the ball hard a few times and finally got one through.

So, is Nuñez running on the first pitch? That didn't work out last time.

[157] stop that!!!!

you're our fearless leader, remember?!

Hmmm.

Send him?

Can someone please explain to me how the hell Posada and Mo couldn't stop that? Please?

Papelbon starts the inning having allowed 10 runs on 11 hits in his last 6.1 innings. This is far from over.

(from PeteAbe)

[164] Their combined ages = 79...

[166] Weeps

ooh, good eye.

i couldn't have held up on that...

Ooof, Paps wanted that one.

from Kevin Goldstein:

Nunez was 23 for 28 in SB at AAA -- plus speed, not a burner.

C'mon, Alex, no double play!

Interesting. Let's go, ALEX!!!!

double steal?!

5-run homerun for a-rod?!?!?!?!

Alex.

It *always* comes down to Alex.

Pinch-run Teix?

PR for Teix? I might, believe it or not.

More from PeteAbe

RT @JonCouture: Last time #RedSox stole 4 bases in one inning: July 2, 1974 -- Beniquez, Yaz, Evans, Montgomery in 9th vs. #Orioles

his offspeed stuff is impressive tonite here in the wet...

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Yikes. Whatup, Teix?

wow .... THAT was a ballsy call

in the air.

far.

oppo field.

do it.

Waaaaaaay too close for comfort.

OK, so now you have to PR for Teix and then send the runner (they won't throw through).

Mo have mercy. It's too early for this type of stress.

why aren't they running for teix?

finally a PR

now, there's the PR...

el nino

[186] Getting the PR some rest?

oops, here comes the PR.

now you fake the steal?

What a take. Holy shit.

great AB, A-rod!

NO dp!!!!!!!

triple steal!!!

these closers ... they're no Eric Gagnes ... (circa 2004) :-)

Oh god, they are setting us up for anguish.

Wow.

Kzone has Alex walking on 5 strikes.

I just walked into the bedroom where the Mrs is listening to the game, hiding under the covers. "I'm going to vomit," she says. Welcome to our world.

C'mon Robby ... TRUE YANKEE MOMENT!

Stay away from the line drive double play.
I repeat:
STAY AWAY FROM THE LINE DRIVE DOUBLE PLAY.

According to the K-zone, Papelbon threw about 6 strikes to A-Rod.

Hit one in the seats, Robbie! You da' the man.

ROBBIE!!!!

That'll do, Robbie. That'll do.

fuck, i woulda sent pena home...

just what this depleted bullpen needs ... possible EI .... but we'll take it ....

Yay!

I thought that was a DP off the bat.

Held the runner at 3B? Maybe the right call.

[204] and you all woulda killed me! ; )

I'm pretty sure we all know what Maddon would do here. ; )

c'mon Po!!!

[208]

if cervelli were up ....

23 pitches...

Have someone run for Posada. After he hits.

Dammit, Po ... strikes!

[208] Suicide Squeeze?

in the air.

far.

don't strike out...

[208] ♚♙♜?

motherfucking bollocks.

@#@#$@#$@#$@$@$@#$@#$@#$

the ump is getting paid by the pitch .....

Alright ... Big Puma's TRUE YANKEE MOMENT.

Right.

Here.

Book it.

c'mon puma, become a "true yankee"!!!

Berkman's chance to become a True Yankee™.

Posada has lousy strike zone judgment for a guy who walks a lot. I don't know how that's possible, but it is.

Evening, Team. Just tuning in, caught the end of Alex and then Rob.
What happened with Mo?

[214,216] He definitely wouldn't have struck out. Walk him, shit face.

FUCKING WASTED.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK!

[223] I've never understood that either. He's off-balance a lot more than you'd expect for a guy who walks a lot.

Crap. I no longer feel good about this.

Fuck this.

*Sigh*

crap.

well, at least it's still a ballgame.

uh-oh, it's joba...

FUCK.

That was a pitch that should have gone a looooong, looooong way.

And not up.

gack .... so much for sleep

Christ, but this team is utterly INFURIATING.

4 stolen bases and a strikeout on bad pitches - not good, Jorge - does anyone alive think that Berkman was gonna win the game?

Berkman is a piece of shit. I hate this guy. That was a meatball.

At least the bottom 1/3 of the lineup is coming up this inning. Oh wait, That was last inning. : (

Enter Joba. Oy veh.

[236] Actually, I thought he was going to walk in the winning run.

[235] I hate them. I really, really hate them. I've known this season is going to end shitty for the longest time now. So why the hell can't I quit them?

C'MON JOBA!

Holy shit that was scary.

Frankly, if Mo is gonna look like the last 10 days, I don't even want to play in the PS.

[244] I might agree if the other option wasn't those assholes, though.

smooth.

Nice play, Juan. Way to stick with it, papi!

Getastickandkillit, Juan. Scary.

The Chessmaster strikes!

Somehow, he always knew Logan would be needed in extra innings!

Yeah, I guess Logan v. Ortiz makes sense. But is it best to play BP roulette here?

[249] I can't watch, so can you explain this to me - is Girardi burning relievers so he can go to Mitre in his "The 11th means it's time to give up" strategy?

beddy beddy nice!

Please end this nighmare against this overated douche who doesn't even look where his pitches are going. Pretty please.

Just curious.
If the Sox and the Yanks tied for the WC, how is the WC determined???

[244] Nah...team's have won in the PS before without having a Mo as closer.

Hahaha..that was a funny three way, slow motion race between Ortiz, the dribble and Logan. Ortiz almost won.

Alright, go WIN THIS GODDAMN GAME! I have a lot of stuff on the DVR to watch!

I still can't fathom how four bases were stolen in one inning and none of them involved Ellsbury.

[254] You need to consult that tiebreaker page I linked to before. They play a one game playoff. Whenever two teams tie for one playoff spot (i.e., one team is one the other is out of the PS, as opposed to one team winning the division and the other getting the WC), they play a single playoff game.

[256] me too! plus, i still have to do two loads of laundry...

[254] Got to be a play-in game, no?

Atta boy, Curtis!

yeah, grandy!!!

please steal...successfully!

Should the send Grandy, with Gardner and Jeter coming up? I would try to put pressure on VMart.

Dear Brett,
If you bunt, don't fucking pop it up.
-me

YES!!!

Sweet. Stay down, Victor. That's a shame.

Does Gardner get a lot of high strikes called against him? Does he have a funny stance or something?

Yay!

A bunt! That worked!! More than planned!!!

Everytime Miller says Beltre I want to punch all his teeth out. I liked that result.

He was on the fucking base already, Francona.

professional hitter hurt...

shouldn't brett be on 2nd?

Methinks Brett should be standing on 2nd. Oh well.

Send Gardner, of course.

[268] yeah, me too. OR-teez, also. feh.

Eat shit, Orel. He is totally within his rights where he's running.

[270] Now he is.

{271] Or, just let the opposing team IBB Jeter to load the bases.

think golson's heart is beating crazy fast???

Would've loved to have some pie for Jeter.

[272] He can't possibly not know that he's an asshole when he does that, right?

golson's heartrate returns to normal...

Now I'm down with a squeeze for real. I could bunt Okajima sitting here on my couch.

They call him Mr. Thames. C'mon big fella, get it up in the air.

Thames batting = no squeeze bunt. : )

it's...MR. Tims!

lowell looks older than achison. that's hard to do...

[280] William, stop that.

I like Thames here.

[284] Dean Achison?

oh, damn.

c'mon tims!!!

Dudes on the bench having a blast. I wish I was. Fuck that pitch. Shite!

[286] Shows you what I know. Hit the ball damn hard though.

[287] scott, in the boston bullpen...

fuck.

bases still loaded.

in the air. far. win the fucking game!!!

Yup. This is a goddamn disaster. I thought that might be a triple play for a second.

Ugh.

OK, that could have been worse.

Someone please hit the ball in the air.

Every time Miranda is up he hits the ball hard but not far enough. Let's hope he can drive one here.

This team is murderizing me. Can't complain about how that was hit, but ^%$#@@!

Note to Miranda:

Ball in air.

This is torture.

The season in a nutshell - bases loaded, none out - and then nothing

[291] I'm guessing it was just an age joke. Dean Acheson was secretary of state under Truman.

Someone smack that Sox fan behind home plate.